Ventilated stocking



Jan. 19, 1954 INVENTOR. Anion L ucos Attorney Patented Jan. 19, 1954 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE VENTILATED STOCKING Anton Lucas, Chicago, Ill. Application February 21, 1952, Serial No. 272,809

4 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in stocking and hose construction.

An important object of my invention is to provide an article of the aforementioned character, which has interwoven thereinto ventilating means which will effectuate a circulation of cooling air currents about the wearers feet, particularly that part of the foot confined within the shoe.

Another object of my invention is to provide ventilatingmeans responsive to the flexing actions of the human foot in the natural course of walking, or the gait during walking.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an article of the aforementioned character, which will, by virtue of its ventilating function, maintain the human foot dry and free from the effects of perspiration, thus protecting the foot in freezing weather as Well as in warm weather.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an article of the aforementioned character, which has interwoven thereinto a series of resilient tubular elements, dispersed uniformly about certain portions thereof, so as to be effectively responsive to pressure causing alternate exudation as well as influx of air currents to the confined portion of the human foot Within the shoe.

vide an article of the aforementioned character, which is simple in construction, practical for the purposes for which it is purported to be used, and of such simple elemental construction as to lend itself to economical manufacture in quantity production.

Other objects, features and advantages resident in my invention, will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings, bearing further elucidation in the ensuing description, wherein like symbols are used to designate like parts, and in which;

Fig. 1 is a side View of a stocking embracing the improvements hereinbefore mentioned.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken substan tially on the lines 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side View of a foot clad in a stocking such as comprises my invention, showing a shoe worn and partly broken away in flexed position during the normal flexing of the foot in the actual gait of Walking, actuating th ventilating means in ord r to provide ventilation to th portion of the foot concealed within the shoe.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the human foot in flexed position during the normal flexing of the foot in the actual gait of walking,

actuating the ventilating means in order to pro- A still further object or my invention is to pro-- 2 vide ventilation to the portion of the foot concealed within the shoe.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, and enlarged view showing a constriction of one of the tubular re silient elements, an essential part of my inven-- tion, which is in the process of forcing out air therefrom, preparatory to its subsequent drawing in of air to complete the air circulation and ventilating cycle.

Referring to the various views, my invention is, generally, designated 6' and represents a stocking, having an upper portion 1, an upper foot portion 8 and a sole portion 9.

It will be noted that about the upper foot portion 8 and the upper portion 1 of this stocking, and for approximately 180 of the oval shape thereof (see Fig. 2), a series of resilient tubular elements It made of rubber of plastic material, are woven into the stocking 6.

The said elements H] are placed regularly about the portions indicated, each acting independently in permitting air currents to circulate therethrough.

Forced air circulation will result when the foot i5 is clad in the stocking 6 on which a shoe I3 is worn, showing the sole Hi thereof in inoperative position (Fig. 3) and the action taking place during the gait or walk of an individual, and the flexure thereof, as indicated in Fig. 4, which will cause the tubular opening to close as indicated at H, thus causing a forced exudation of air as indicated by the arrows 20; subsequently to be followed by the relaxing of the foot as shown in Fig. 3, allowing the tubular elements I 0 to assume their normal relaxed position, or open position, thus allowing currents to circulate about the foot as indicated by the arrows l9. Thus the circulation of air currents resulting from influx and exudation through opening ducts l2 will result.

The walking operation consisting of successive flexing of the foot in the gait of walking, will cause currents to be circulated through the tubular elements it), thus causing forced ventilation to reach the confined part of the foot l5, maintaining the same dry and free of perspiration, which will aid in maintaining the foot warmer in colder temperatures, and cooler in warmer temperatures, since the perspiration and humidity would intensify the uncomfortable feeling of the wearers feet.

It will be noted that the tubular elements 10 are arranged in Fig. 2 in semi-oval formation It, whereas on the upper portion l they envelop,

substantially, the entire cylindrical thereof.

I believe I have herein illustrated and described the nature of my invention, and expounded, in expository form, the teachings so that those familiar with the art will be able to practice my invention. Inasmuch as the same is susceptible of many modifications, alterations, and improvements, I hereby reserve the right to any improvements, alterations and modifications coming Within the scope and spirit of my invention and disclosure, also the right to any improvements impliably embraced in the accompanying illustrations depicting the generally suggested elemental structure of my invention, and also any surface modifications, improvements, or alterations, falling within the purview of the foregoing description; my invention to be limited only by the subjoined claims.

Having thus disclosed and revealed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

I. A stocking of the character described,comprising a knitted hose element, and flexible tubular elements of varied length interspersed in staggered relationship in the knitted texture in the upper portion of the foot portion thereof, the open ends of the said tubular elements defining a multiplicity of staggered forcedair inlets and outlets.

2. A stocking of the character described having a leg portion, comprising a knitted hose element, flexible tubular elements of varied length interspersed in staggered relationship in the knitted texture in the upper portion of the foot portion thereof, the open ends of the said tubular elements defining a multiplicity of staggered forced air inlets and outlets, and flexible tubular elements of varied length interspersed in staggered relationship in the knitted texture regularly in the said leg portion thereof, the open ends of the said tubular elements defining a multiplicity of staggered forced air inlets and outlets.

3. A stocking of the character described, comprising a knitted hose element, and flexible and resilient tubular elements of varied length interspersed in staggered relationship in the: knitted texture in the upper portion of the foot portion thereof, the open ends of the said tubular elements defining a multiplicity of staggered forced air inlets and outlets.

4. A stocking of the character described having a leg portion, comprising a knitted hose element, flexible and resilient tubular elements of varied length interspersed in staggered relationship in the knitted texture in the upper portion of the foot portion thereof, the open ends of the said tubular elements defining a multiplicity of staggered forced air inlets and. outlets, and flexible and resilient tubular elements of variedv length interspersed in staggered relationship in the knitted texture regularly in the said leg portion thereof, the open ends of the said tubular ele-- ments defining a multiplicity of staggered forced air inlets and outlets.

ANTON LUCAS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 906,061 Nolen Dec. 8, 1908 1,213,941 Patrick Jan. 30, 1917 1,216,795 Gause Feb. 20, 1917 

